GM: Tigers aim to keep David Price ‘for a long time’
by Larry Hartstein | CBSSports.com

(10:55 am ET) Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski made it clear David Price will be pitching for the team in 2015 and hinted at the possibility of pursuing an extension with Price, reports the Detroit Free Press. Price was acquired from the Rays at last year’s trade deadline.

“I will tell you and I can safely tell you we’ve never had any trade discussions about David Price this winter,” Dombrowski told the paper. “People have talked, I cannot tell you that somebody had not inquired about him a time or two, but we were never in discussions to trade him.”

Added Dombrowski: “We hope he stays a Tiger for a long time.”

Price, 29, will be a free agent next winter. Detroit signed him to a one-year, $19.75 million contract a week ago. With Max Scherzer having signed with the Nationals, Price is the Tigers’ ace.

“He’s a quality guy,” Dombrowski told the paper. “His teammates like him, he likes his teammates, he likes the situation here and he knows how we feel about him. We like him a great deal.”

Reds’ Price: Last report on Joey Votto was ‘very, very good’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:49 am ET) Reds manager Bryan Price delivered another positive update Thursday on the status of first baseman Joey Votto, who missed 100 games last season with a distal strain of his left quadriceps.

Votto has been monitored by Reds strength and conditioning coach Sean Marohn during the offseason.

“The last report when Sean was up in Toronto earlier this month was very, very good,” Price said. “The strength was outstanding, the stamina was good and the agility. Right now, we’re looking to hit the ground running when Joey gets to Goodyear and being able to see with our own eyes where he’s at. I’m confident that he’s going to be ready to go.”

Votto, who is a career .310 hitter, batted just .255 with six home runs, 16 doubles and 23 RBI in 62 games in 2014.

Royals GM Moore: It’s doubtful we bring back James Shields
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(10:35 am ET) Royals general manager Dayton Moore is well aware that starting pitcher James Shields remains unsigned, according to MLB Network Radio.

“I can’t say it hasn’t crossed my mind [to try and bring him back],” Moore said Thursday. “Right now with Edinson Volquez, we feel rotation will be solid. 

“At this point in time, though, it’s doubtful we bring back James.”

Shields spent the last two seasons with the Royals. He went 27-17 with a 3.18 ERA in 68 starts for Kansas City. Shields is reportedly looking for a five-year, $125 million contract.

Report: Scott Diamond to throw bullpen for Red Sox
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/21/2015) Free-agent pitcher Scott Diamond will throw a bullpen session for the Red Sox, according to 1500ESPN.

Diamond started last season with the Twins, but was released in July. He signed on with the Reds, but remained in the minors for the rest of the year. Diamond posted a 6.57 ERA over 123 1/3 innings over three levels of the minors. 

Ryan Vogelsong in serious discussions with the Giants
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/21/2015) Free-agent pitcher Ryan Vogelsong has shifted course, and is now in serious talks with the Giants, confirms CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman. The news was initially reported by FoxSports.com.

Vogelsong was nearing a deal with the Astros on Tuesday, but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement. With Houston possibly out of the picture, Vogelsong has turned his attention to his former team. The 37-year-old posted a 4.00 ERA over 184 2/3 innings with San Francisco last year. 

Nationals sign pitcher Evan Meek to minor-league deal
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/21/2015) The Nationals have signed pitcher Evan Meek to a minor-league deal, according to MLB.com.

The 31-year-old Meek spent last season moving between the majors and the minors with the Orioles. He posted a 5.79 ERA over 23 1/3 innings in the majors. Meek was outrighted to Triple-A in October, but decided to reject the move, becoming a free-agent. The deal includes an invite to spring training. 

Phil Hughes happy to be with Twins ‘long-term’
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1/21/2015) After going 16-10 with a 3.52 ERA in 2014 — his first season with the Twins — Phil Hughes was rewarded with a three-year, $42 million contract extension. The 28-year-old right-hander is happy to be under contract with Minnesota through the 2019 season.

“I was excited to get it done and have a sense of home here,” Hughes said, per MLB.com. “For me, it was about signing somewhere I felt comfortable. I wanted to do something long-term here.”

Hughes said he started his offseason throwing program in November. However, he has yet to throw off a mound. 

“Every year I start throwing pretty early, like three or four days a week, and kind of steadily get going and get my arm in shape,” Hughes said. “It’s a program that’s worked pretty well for me. I like to be ahead of the curve and show up to spring training ready and having already thrown bullpens.”

Reds sign Jason Marquis to minor-league deal
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/21/2015) The Reds have signed pitcher Jason Marquis to a minor-league deal, the team announced.

Marquis, 36, spent last season recovering from Tommy John surgery before joining the Phillies in June. He made nine minor-league starts, putting up a 4.18 ERA. Marquis’ deal includes an invite to spring training with the major-league club.

Dombrowski: Tigers never considered trading David Price
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com

(1/21/2015) Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said Wednesday that the team never considered trading pitcher David Price this offseason, the Detroit Free Press reports.

Dombrowski added that other teams inquired on Price’s availability in a potential trade. Price avoided arbitration with the Tigers by agreeing to a one-year, $19.75-million last week. He went 4-4 with a 3.59 ERA in 11 starts after joining the Tigers via a midseason trade.

Price is slated to reach free agency at the end of the 2015 season.

Tigers’ Bruce Rondon, Jose Iglesias considered good to go
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com

(1/21/2015) Tigers reliever Bruce Rondon and shortstop Jose Iglesias are good to go, according to the Detroit News.

Rondon is recovering from March Tommy John surgery, but is nearing a return. Iglesias missed all of last season due to a shin issue. General manager Dave Dombrowski said that although both players were healthy, the team would take it easy with them early in spring training. 

Rondon posted a 3.45 ERA over 28 2/3 innings back in 2013. Iglesias hit .303/.349/.386 between Boston and Detroit.